Miandad rates Tendulkar greatest after record WC appearance

Published: Sunday, February 20, 2011, 15:01 [IST]

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Karachi, Feb 19 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain JavedMiandad today congratulated Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkarfor equalling his record of six consecutive appearances inCricket World Cup and described him as the "greatest batsmanin history".

Tendulkar featured in his sixth consecutive World Cuptoday in India''s opening match of the tenth edition againstBangladesh at Mirpur.

The 37-year-old Indian made his World Cup debut in 1992when Pakistan won under Imran Khan with Miandad as one of theplayers. Since then he has played in every World Cup.

Miandad made his World Cup debut in 1975 and featured inevery edition till 1996 when it was co-hosted by India,Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

"It is great achievement and I am happy that Sachin hasequaled my record and I want to congratulate him," Miandadsaid.

"This is a long journey and he (Tendulkar) is definitelygreatest batsman in history and his records speak for itself,"he was quoted as saying by Associated Press of Pakistan.

"I have the pleasure of playing against Tendulkar in 1992and 1996 World Cup. In fact, my last World Cup match wasagainst India in Bangalore," Miandad, who played 233 ODIs and124 Test matches for Pakistan, recalled.

Miandad had played in 33 World Cup matches, scoring 1083runs.

Tendulkar, who was appearing in his 445th ODI atSher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur near Dhaka, hadscored the highest number of runs -- 1796 from 36 matchesbefore today -- in the World Cup.

Tendulkar also holds the record of scoring the highestnumber of runs and centuries in ODIs as well as Test cricket.